Armored plug-receptacle.



R. A. SOHOENBERG. ABMORED PLUG REGEPTAOLE. APILIOATION FILED JUNE 22,1902.

'91 1,8441, Patented Feb. 9, 1909 such as so-called fiber.

RALPH A. SOHOENBERG, OF-NEW YORK, N. Y.

ABMORED PLUG-RECEPTAGLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9. 1909.

application filed June 22 1908; Serial No. 439,787.

To all whomit may concern: 1

"Be it known that I, RALPH A. SOHOEN-' BERG, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a panying drawings, which form a part of the same.

This invention relates to armored plug receptacles and more particularlyto a construction thereof such that the plug may be very readilyinterfitted with its receptacle and may be very quickly detachedtherefrom, either by a pull, in the normal direction usual to devices ofthis general nature, or alsoby a push or pull in many other directionsat an angle to such normal. This invention furthermore has in objectivea receptacle and detachable interfitting plu eitheror both of which maybe exterior y armored or sheathed with a relatively thickshock-and-wear-resisting material and be otherwise composed of simpleand inexpensive elements so arranged as to contribute simplicity anddurability in installation and service.

In the accompanying drawings showing two illustrative embodiments ofthis invention, and in which the same reference numerals refer tosimilar parts in the several figures. Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionshowing the details of the normally inclosed elements of the receptacle,and also its detachable companion member or so-called plug con- Flg.

nected in operative relation therewith. 2 is' a sectlon takentransversely to Fig. 1 along lines 2-2 thereof and showing certaindetails not clearly apparent from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspectivelooking into the cover or sheath for the receptacle and; showing theexterior armor of metal as well as the interior lining of suitableinsulating material,

Fig. 4 is an exterior elevation showing the relation and generalappearance of the parts when assembled with the plug uppermost asdistinished from Fig. 1 in which the plug underies the receptacle. Fig.5 1s a section of a modified form of my receptacle especially adaptedfor the reception of a branch line connection comprising a single splitcommutator plug. Fig. 6 1s. fragmentary view of the commutator plugadapted to cooperate with the receptacle shown by Fig. 5. Y

-ries, ofiices, cafs or the like.

In the illustrative embodiments of this invention shown in the drawings,the receptacles are assumed to have a fixed mounting, as is usual withwall sockets which are customarily employed in cases where it isrequlred to place a portable lamp, telephone or other 'dev1ce in circuitat one or another of a number of-positions, in such places as libra- Themain line leads connectwith a pair of terminals in each of thereceptacles, and the branch line leads (which are flexible) are ioinedto a complementary pair of terminals carried by the removable plug andadapted to be pushed into the socket-piece and so complete the circuitthrough the lamp or other device. Thus, as shown by Fig. 1, thereceptacle may .be mounted on or adiacent to a molding 1 provided withchannels-2 and 3 serving to embed and sufficiently separate the mains 4and 5. These mains may be normally concealed from view by an elongatedcover 6 which may be retained in place by suitable fasten ing devicessuch as the nail indicated by 7. The receptacle itself preferablyincludes a blockS'of insulating material, such as porcelain, which alsohas the desired quality of being fire-proof. Block 8, as will be aparent from the drawings, serves on the one hand as a means instrumentalin supporting the con- 8 with one or more apertures, such as that shownin the center thereof for the rece tion of the retaining screw 9,whereby the lock may be aflixed to the molding 1. In the case of theduplex form exemplified by Fig. 1-, this screw 9 may be )ositioned inthe center of a (.-rosswise-extencling ridge 10 which may have itsuppermost surface arranged near to or in abutment with the inner face ofthe insulated fiber lining of the armored sheath, if desired. Thisridge, so to speak, divides the block into halves, each ofwhich isdevoted to separate terminal pieces, the one being the positive and theother being. the negative.

Although there may be cases in which these two halves of the block willbe similarly conprefer the last mentioned arrangement in those cases inwhich the receptacle is so formed and disposed that the detachable lugtakes'into a side nearer to one than to the other of the mains, butwhile the halves otthe block 8 difier somewhat, I neverthe less alsoprefer .to utilize similar or substantially simllar terminal pieces 11and 12, thus effecting an economy by way of manufacture.

screw '14 ofa-the'terminal piece 11.

being screwed home will tightly grip the bared but not severedintermediate portion of the wire 4, thereby establishing a good electrical connection with the terminal piece 11. This is a veryadvantageous arrangement in that the wire is not out. To prevent therotation of the screw-head from tending to force the wire fromunderneath the head, I may provide a small uprising lug 16 at the en ofpiece 11 near the eriphery of the screw-head. The terminal piece itselfwill also be counter sunk within a suitably sha ed recess 17 in theright hand side of bloc 8 and may provide integral upturned and outarestiffly resi wardly extending wings 18 and 19. As a means serving tosecure the terminal pieces in place I. may-employ one or more screwssuch as those indicated by 20 and 21 having their heads seated insuitable recesses in the under side of block 8 and having their shanksrising through such blocks into a screw threaded attachment with the bedportion of the terminal iec es. The wings 18 and 19 iient .and theynarrow together near their extremities and then preferably spread orflare, outwardly so as to facilitate t e entrance of the projectingterminal of the plug. In their more closely approaching portions,these-wings 18 and 19 are intended.

to' enable the annular fiangeof the head of the projecting terminal ofthe detachable plug to engage therebetween and thereby be separablyretained in place.

The foregoing description of the terminal piece 11, and the function andmethod of connecting the same, applies equally to the piece 12 on theleit-hand side of block 8, save however that the aperture 2l lor theincoming wire is located on the side nearest the lug, i. c., overlyingthe other main 5. In tiis instance, shallow channel 22 is made in theblock 8 to enable the bared loop 23 to bebrought into connection withthe screw of the terminal piece 12, appears quite clearly from thedrawing. it may be noted in this connection, that the outer extremitiesof the wings are somewhat wider than their inner portions connectingthem with the beds of the-terminal pieces, and in consequence, the block8 is provided with a somewhat deeper seat to accommodate such outerextremities. This widened-extremity feature is of advantage from thestand omt of 'makinga connection with the detac iable .plug member,andat the same time this arrangement may be readily and inexpensivelymanufactured, since the wings 18 and 19 may be stamped up from. a singlepiece, and the extra depth of the extremities will be provided forwithout increasing the circumscribing boundary of the blank which isstamped up.

In connection with the receptacle parts above described, I also roposeto use an armored sheath lined with insulating material. 3 in which 24indicates a cover member of rectangular shape constructed of fairlyheavy sheet steel, brass or other durable material capable. ofwithstanding very severe treatment in the way of knocks and the like.This armored sheath provides also side, or otherwise-located, apertures25 positioned for a proper registry with the plug retaining wings oi theterminal pieces 11 and 12, and it may also provide laterally extendingflanges 26 and 27 having screw holes 28 and 29 through which screws 30and 31 may be passed, thus securing the same to the molding, wall orother adjacent supporting structure. This armored sheath, I furthermorepropose to insulate with a lining 32 This is shown more clearly by Fig.

which may be formed of fiber or other suitable material and which may bemtegral throughout, being stamped from a single piece. To this end, sidepieces 33 and 33 may have an integral connection with the center pieceand in like manner the lining may integrally extend transverselyunderneath the ilanges 26 and 27 to which it may be secured by eyelets34 and 35. This lining will of" course provide apertures in registrywith the apertures 25 in the armored sheath.

Turning now to the construction of the lug which may be employed inconnection with the receptacle shown by l igs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be ofcourse evident that while 1. prefer the form shown, nevertheless otherconstructions may be resorted to. Here also, I have made use of anarmored sheath 36 which is of rectangular shape, open at one end and atits other end provided with the dome 37 which terminates in its rise, inan annular collar 38 in which is seated an insulating bushing. it mayhere be noted that this sheathing also provides side protruding parts 39and 40 whose purpose it is to enable the lingers to better grasp thedevice and thus prevent slipping when detaching or allixing the same.For the insulating bushing, i. prefer to use a pair oi telescopingcollars 40 and. 11 which screw together and clamp each other in placewithin the collar 38. The branch line wires 42 and 43 enter the armoredplug through the insulatingbushing 40 and pass through an aperturedplate 43 of insulating material, and thence into connection with theterminals carried by the insulating block 44 which is inclosed withinthe armored sheath 36. This insulating block 44 may be constructed ofporcelain and rovides seats 45 and 46 'for the terminal pl ates 47 whichare preferably similar and are mounted in the bottoms of said seats andprovided with screws 48 for establishing connections with the leads 42and 43.

Terminal members 50 project from the outer face of block 44, each havinga head 51 preferably having a short distance from its to retain theblock 44 in place.

conicalextremity a somewhat blunt periph-,'

eral edge or rim which isreceived and detachably retained between theindented portions of the spring wings 18and 19 above mentioned. Thisblunt peripheral rim may be formed by providing a shallow neck 52 in.the shank of the terminal piece 50. So also, a shoulder 53 may either beflush with the outer face of the block 44 or maybe slightly counter-sunkthereinas shown in the drawings, such shoulder serving as a means ofpreventing rear movement of the piece 50, thereby enabling it to bescrew threaded to the plate 47 to clamp both of these pieces in place inthe block. It is to be noted that an insulating collar or sleeve 54 mayalso be pro-- vided on the protruding shoulder of the ter minal piece50, and may have one end counter-sunk, thereby preventing short circuitsdue to the contact of the metallic sheath when the plug is inserted inits receptacle. It may here be noted-that when the parts are properlyassembledjn the plug, the exposed face of the block 44 will either beflush with the outermost rim of the protecting sheath 36 or will lieslightly therewithin. To retain the block in position, I may provide itwith side indentations 55 which are engaged by a screw 56. Obviouslythis will suflice It is also to be noted that the terminal pieces50project no very great distance beyond the outer face of the block 44,and this in connection with their peculiar shape, enables them toberetained by the spring wings 18 and 19, without however interferingwith their easy separation therefrom at any angle and even by a directpull on the flexible branch line w res, By having the sheath armored,that is of more than usual strength and thickness, the device isexceedingly well adapted to withstand severe usage.

While bytthe foregoing I have described a receptacle and a cooperatingplug havmg two spaced terminal pieces, it is to be understood that thisinvention may assume manyapparently different forms and still retainmany of the more essential features thereof. Thus, the plug may provide,m'heu of a pair of widely spaced distinct terminal pieces, a singlepiece composed of two or more segments after the fashion of a commutatorand following the general plan illustrated by Fig. 6. In this case, theplug will have a head of the same general character as that utilized inFig. 1, except that such head will consist of two or more segments 57and 58 separated by a piece of insulating material 59 and provided ifdesiredwith an insulating collar 60. These parts may project from asuitable, block 61 adapted to be conveniently handled. The rpceptacleitself will also be materially different from that shown in Figs. 1 to3. That is to say, while the block 62 may be retained in lace by, ascrew 63, and be provided with in et apertures 64 and 65, together withthe channel 66, somewhat closely following the plan in thisparticular-of Fig. 1, a greater difference will exist 'with respect tothe terminal pieces; Thus, the terminal piece 67 instead of providingtwo wings or bifurcations, is shown to have a wing 68 on one side forone pole, and the opposite companion wing 69 extends from the otherterminal piece 70, the block being provided with a groove for theintermediate portion 71. This receptacle will however be also providedwith an armored sheath and its relation to the plug issuch that thelatter may also be removed at any angle or by a direct pull on theflexible cc rd.

It will thus be perceived-that I have succeeded in devising a structurewell adapted to achieve the several ends in view. The device is veryconvenient to use, being easily separable at any angle and by bemgarmored, is is practically indestructible, even under the severestusage.The wires do not have to be out, since they may be merely looped intoconnection with the binding screws, and the device may therefore beemployed with greater ease and without rendering likely breaks in thecircuits.

Having thus described this invention in connection with two illustrativeembodiments thereof, to the details of which'I do' not desire to belimited, What is claimed as secured to the block on eachside of theridge and a lurality of wings on each terminal piece, t 1e wings beingin alinement with the apertures in the sheath.

2. In a detachable armored molding receptacle, the combination of ahollow inclosing metal sheath provided with apertures and adapted tobe;.detachably securedto a molding, an insulating block secured to themolding covered and protected by the sheath, a ridge on the block,terminal pieces secured to the blockon each side of the ridge, aplurality of indented orvnot ched wings on each terminal piece, thewings being cooperate wit in alinement with the apertures in the sheath,and a lug having grooved heads to v the indented or notched wings of theterminal pieces, the plug being .:adapted to befseparated fromtherecept'acle I at any angle:

3. In a detachable-armored molding receptacle, the combination of ahollow inclosing metal's'heathprovided with apertures and adapted to bedetachably secured to a molding, an insulating block secured to themolding covered and protected by the sheath, a ridge on the block,terminal pieces secured to the block on' each side of the ridge and alurality of wings on each terminal piece, t e wings. being in alinementwith the the plug being adapted to be separated from the receptacle atany angle.

4. A detachable armored plug receptacle comprising a block of insulatingmaterial, means for exteriorly securing said block to a sup ortingstructure in overlying relation wit 1 a pair of electrical mains, a pairofrelectrical mains, a pair of terminals carried by said block, a pairof notched or indented wings carried by each terminal piece, bindingposts on the terminals for enabling said mains to be looped into contactwith the terminal ieces, a metal armored sheath provided wit 1 aperturesin alinement with the wings of the terminal pieces and adapted tosubstantially cover and protect the block, I a plug provided with wiresand with grooved heads to cooperate with the notched or indented wings,the'parts being so arranged that an accidental or intentional blow atany angle upon the plug or the wires carried.

by the same, will cause the heads carried by the plug to becomedisengaged from the Wings and the plug from the receptacle.

.RALPH. A. SCHOENBERG.

VVit'nesses:

O. C. FRANCKE, ALAN M. Johnson.

